Device for attaching to the military uniform all decoration



Dec. 29, 1970 A. E; THORN 3,550,221

mavrcn FOR mucnme TOVTHE MILITARY UNIFORM ALL DECORATION Filed June 10, 1968 r United States Patent 3,550,221 DEVICE FOR ATTACHING TO THE MILITARY UNIFORM ALL DECORATION Alvin E. Thorn, Mountain Lake, Minn. (157 Garvey Drive, Springfield, Mass. 01109) Filed June 10, 1968, Ser. No. 736,942

Int. Cl. A44b 1/18 U.S. Cl. 24-90 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fastening device to hold items worn on clothing, which items are fastened by means of a pin or nail-like projection projecting therefrom. The fastening device comprising of a hollow cylindrical barrel extending upward from a ring portion which ring portion consists of a number of prongs which prongs in addition to holding a neoprene piece thereto, also exert pressure upon the neoprene piece. The hollow cylindrical barrel, after penetrating the cloth to which the fastener is to be afiixed, is riveted, insuring the fastening device as a permanent part of the cloth or clothing. Forceable penetration of the neoprene by the pins of the item to be worn, insures a positive attachment due to the natural resistive characteristic of neoprene in addition to the forces applied to the neoprene by the aforesaid prongs.

This invention relates to improvements in the fastening of items worn on clothing which are fastened through the use of pins or small nail-like projections, which protrude from the back of the item worn, and which to facilitate fastening, subject pins are forced through the article of clothing worn. And more particularly, to Decorations, Ribbon Bars, Medals, Badges and Insignia worn upon the uniform of all members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Heretofore, it has been customary for personnel of the Armed Forces to wear various items of decoration upon their uniform, to the underside of which item are attached two or more protruding pins or small nail-like projections. The wearer in order to fasten these items to the uniform must force the pins through the clothing and secure by placing a clutch fastener on the portion of the pin which protrudes through the inside of underside of the penetrated area. The continual changing of uniforms and thus frequent removing and replacing of items worn, causes the clutch fastener to become weak and therefore unable to continually hold the subject item firmly. In addition, the exact placement of Decorations, Ribbon Bars, Medals and Badges, and Insignia is directed by regulation within each Service; no provisions have been made to assist in the placement of these items in the exact area upon the uniform.

Having in mind the limited development and defects of the prior art, it is an important object of my invention to provide a new method for fastening insignia which will provide a means to position insignia upon the uniform in the exact area as directed by regulation and which position cannot be altered and will remain permanent regardless of the removal of said insignia.

Another object of my invention is to provide for the elimination of fraying of the uniform caused by the continual piercing of the clothing by the aforesaid pins.

A still further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a means to hold firmly, all items attached to the uniform by means of pins, and a means which will continue to hold firmly, regardless of the number of times subject items are removed from the uniform or positioned on the uniform.

The foregoing objects and other ancillary thereto, as

3,550,221 Patented Dec. 29, 1970 ice will become more apparent from the following description, I prefer to accomplish as follows:

According to a preferred embodiment of my invention, I place in the exact area on the uniform, two or more fastener elements, positioned to receive the pins of the item which is to be worn in that exact area on the uniform.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fastening device having my invention incorporated therein,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening means by which the item worn is held by the fastening device and illustrates the device itself fastened to the uniform or any article of clothing.

A new method for fastening all items worn on a military uniform must overcome the conditions and defects hereinbefore enumerated must have at least four totally distinct characteristics; it must eliminate the fraying of material from continued removal and replacing of the item worn; it must be capable of allowing exact positioning, as directed by military regulations, of the item worn; it must be capable of allowing, with ease, the removal and placement of the item worn; and it must be capable of preventing the loss of the item worn.

In FIG. 1, the fastening device is shown prior to it being placed or positioned on the uniform or fabric. The barrel A which is cylindrical in shape, will be approximately & inch in diameter and approximately A3 inch long from its base to its top. The prongs B not only hold the neoprene tip D which is approximately 4 inch in diameter and approximately A3 inch thick, securely in place, but also because of the continual exerted inward pressure of prongs B, continually keep the neoprene tip D firm and compact.

In FIG. 2, the fastening device is shown when attached to a piece of fabric F. The barrel A has simply been split into two equal parts A, which two parts have been forced flush with the fabric F to securely and permanently hold the entire unit in place. The ring C, being of a larger diameter, approximately 4 inch, then barrel A, assures that upon placement of the fastening device to any material, penetration maximum to the base of barrel A. The continual inward pressure of prongs B, in addition to securely holding neoprene tip D, assists in creating a resistance upon being penetrated by any metallic-like pin P attached to any item such as X, insuring the impossible withdrawal from D of the pin P without the assistance of an outside force.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be limited except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A fastening device to hold items worn on clothing, each of which items are fastened by means of a pin or nail-like projection projecting therefrom, which projection is forced through said device, comprising:

(a) a metal element including a ring portion with a central axial opening therethrough and a hollow cylindrical barrel portion, said barrel portion extending upwardly from the top of the ring portion coaxially therewith and being longitudinally split into two equal parts which are capable of being forced flush with the fabric to permanently fasten the device to References Cited said fabric, said metal ring portion having an outer UNITED STATES PATENTS diameter greater than that of the barrel portion, 3 (b) a solid neoprene tip secured to the bottom of said 68,878 2/1921 24-90 ring portion coaxially therewith and O129 11/1928 Prentlss 24 90 5 2,835,948 5/1958 Blake 24-108 (c) prong means on said metal element for securing 2 859 500 11/1958 Ne ret 24 90 5X said neoprene tip to said ring portion and for addi- 3430302 3/1969 g T 55" tionally exerting force on said tip so as to resist withdrawal of said pin or nail-like projection therefrom. STEPHEN I. NOVOSAD, Primary Examiner 

